Should you go with Accredited or Independent ISO Certification?

Accredited ISO certification and independent ISO certification both provide a way for companies to demonstrate their commitment to implementing and maintaining an effective management system in accordance with ISO standards.

For example, UKAS ISO certification is accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) and is considered to be the most recognised and respected certification in the UK. UKAS accreditation ensures that certification bodies meet the highest standards of competence, impartiality, and performance. UKAS certification is widely accepted by customers, suppliers, and regulatory bodies, and provides companies with a competitive advantage.

Independent ISO certification, on the other hand, is provided by certification bodies that are not accredited by UKAS. Independent ISO certification offers several benefits, including the flexibility to choose a certification body that aligns with specific needs, potential cost savings due to competitive pricing and a tailored approach to certification processes. These certification bodies are sometimes based outside of the UK (but not always!) and may not have the same level of recognition as UKAS-accredited bodies.

While both UKAS and independent ISO certification provide a means for companies to demonstrate their compliance with ISO standards, UKAS certification is generally considered to be more credible and provides a greater level of assurance to stakeholders. UKAS accreditation ensures that certification bodies meet the highest standards of competence, impartiality, and performance, and that the certification process is consistent and reliable.

The Choice is Yours to Make:

It's important to note that while independent ISO certification offers certain benefits, UKAS accreditation provides additional credibility, acceptance, and recognition at a national and international level. The choice between independent ISO certification and UKAS certification depends on the organisation's specific circumstances, budget, industry requirements, and the level of accreditation recognition desired.

At CCS we prioritise your freedom of choice when it comes to certification, ensuring that your implemented ISO Management System is capable of passing any 3rd party audit. This grants you the flexibility to opt for either a UKAS or an Independent certification body.

If you require UKAS Certification from the onset of your ISO journey, we work with all the leading UKAS certification companies and will gladly introduce you to them to gain the required number of audit days and associated certification fees, all fees will be need to be paid directly to to the UKAS certification company.

If you prefer Independent Certification rather than UKAS Certification, we will cover the cost of a Certification Audit conducted by QAS International, a reputable independent 3rd party. However, if you initially choose independent certification, but later decide to recertify with a UKAS certification body we won't charge any additional QAS International Audit fees and will gladly assist you throughout the process of selecting the best UKAS certification body that is right for you.

But our goal remains the same: to help you implement and maintain an effective management system in accordance with ISO standards. This will enable your company to demonstrate its commitment to quality, efficiency, and continual improvement, regardless of the certification path chosen.